2008-11-14
iPod nano and Cover Flow
Two weeks ago, candace regretfully replaced a second generation iPod nano with a fourth generation model, twice the size. I say regretfully because it was a forced migration, and because the fourth gen nano had an unfortunate flaw.
Until recently, you could put any pre-touch iPod into a pocket and use it without looking at it. Admittedly, some models made this easier than others: I loved my second generation iPod for its physical buttons, whereas the third generation’s row of four buttons above the scrollwheel always seemed a bit hard to use. Unfortunately, the new nano breaks that.
You see, Apple’s recent devotion to the cult of Cover Flow joined with its new love of accelerometers, resulting in an iPod that would randomly switch to CF mode in your pocket. This is a problem if you’re expecting the scroll wheel to adjust volume, rather than, say, move from Goldfrapp to the Happy Mondays. It also kills your battery life, since Cover Flow switches on the screen (and happily devotes processor cycles to some 3D compositing.)
Thankfully, Thursday morning brought news of a software update for the nano, making it possible to entirely disable Cover Flow. There was much rejoicing, and now the pocket is once again a safe destination for the iPod. Now, if they can do the same for the touch…
